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Animal profile

Cave Salamander

Eurycea lucifuga

AmphibiaLimestone cave entrances, twilight zones and adjacent wet rock facesLeast Concern

Field profile

The cave salamander is a slender orange to red plethodontid with scattered black spots and a long prehensile tail, around 10 to 18 centimetres in total length. It occupies the mouths and twilight zones of limestone caves rather than the permanently dark interior. Larvae develop in cave streams and pools.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-01-25

Cave Salamander

The cave salamander avoids the deep cave

Despite its name and its scientific epithet meaning light-shunning, this salamander is not a true cave animal. It concentrates in the twilight zone near entrances, where insects are available, and it retains full eyes and bright colour.

Read with evidence →

Cave Salamander | Daily Animal Facts